Sabah: Recently, 75 people from the interior division of Tenom, Sabah, received various items to enhance their business potential under the programme, implemented nationwide by the government.

The 1Azam contributions were handed over by Tenom Umno Women’s leader, Datin Rahmahjan Khan, accompanied by the member of parliament, Datuk Raimie Sulaiman.

The items included utensils for cooking and catering as well as for making condiments, burgers and pancakes – in addition to ovens (for making pastry) and sewing machine.

One of the recipients, Norleza Rosley, specialises in making cakes, especially local Malay ‘kuih’. She learned baking from her mother while still in primary school.

“I’m always fascinated by the fact that flour can become something so nice to eat. I really admire my mother’s baking skills,” the 32-year-old said.

It was through her interest in baking that she learned to make ‘kuih’ from a young age. She used to watch her mother a lot and later helped her sell kuih by the roadside “or anywhere suitable.”

Years later, when she got married, she still made kuih for sale to supplement her husband’s income. That way, at least, she was contributing something to the household, she said.

“When I was doing this on my own, my utensils were very basic. But after receiving the baking utensils and an oven under the 1Azam programme, I can now bake more.”

She will be experimenting with pastry to broaden her range of products.

“Hopefully, I will be able to supply more and better biscuits and cakes during Hari Raya and Christmas,” she added.

Thankful for assistance

Naimie Joseph of Kampung Tumantalib Tenom, received a set of haircare and beauty accessories.

“I have been working in a salon for 16 years but always for other people. After a while, I managed to store up some hair- dressing equipment in my house so that I can earn a side income during my spare time,” the 43-year-old explained.

Naimie is grateful to the 1Azam programme for providing her the accessories “because I really need them.” She needs a lot of other items to open a salon and the help from 1Azam will come in handy.

Siah Ayo, 49, from Kampung Lalandang Tenom, was almost speechless after receiving the 1Azam contribution.

“It’s a container for selling kuih and freshly cut fruits. I will try and sell my products near my house close to a school. I’m sure I can start a small business this way,” said this mother of five.

All this while, Siah could only dream of owning such an expensive utensil. Now that she has it, she can try selling her kiuh and fruits nearer home first before venturing to town.

“Maybe I’ll try the tamu (traditional market) first,” she reckoned.

Sewing all her life

Mamisah Lapan of Kampung Jawa Ului Tenom received a set of sewing paraphernalia.  This 53-year-old grandmother has been working as a seamstress since she was a young girl.

“I like sewing and I can make dresses and baju kurung as well as other types of clothing. I learn to sew through trial and error before joining a sewing course,” she shared.

“I sew at home because I can’t afford to open a shop. Normally, I earn between RM50 and RM300 a month. During the festivities like Christmas and Hari Raya, I can make about RM500.”

Now that she has a sewing machine, she can do edging and embroidery to produce better quality clothing to augment her income.

Mas Naim from Kampung Sri Menanti Tenom, could only stare at her new set of cooking and catering utensils from 1Azam. She ran her fingers over the glittering steel pans, and said with a smile: “I’ve always lived with my sister and aged father. I supported my family by cooking for weddings and private functions.

“I only cook because I didn’t have any catering utensils. I got paid only for my labour.

“But with this set of utensils, I can be paid for catering as well. I have bigger pans, woks and a huge rice cooker now.

“I am also thinking of selling pre-cooked food at the stalls in Tenom. Who knows, I may even get orders from groups to cook for them, now that I have my utensils,” the 58-year-old enthused.

She does not really know how much she earns a month because weddings can be few and far between but if she gets invited to cook, she can then make a bit of money. Asked how she rated her cooking, she answered “boleh lah” with a blush.

For young Mohd Isa Mashud of Kampung Jawa Ului Tenom, the burger and pancake utensils he received have taken him a step closer to realising his dream of setting up a business.

“I want to be a businessman. I want to open a bigger and better burger and pancake stall to reach more customers,” he said.

The 22-year-old has always been interested in making burgers and selling them at road stands. He has his own burger stand now but it’s very basic.

“I sell wherever I can – at festivals, at the tamu – even outside my home,” he said, adding that he was happy when he could sell a few burgers.

“I don’t believe in wasting time like playing Internet games and lepak (loitering). I think getting involved in business is better. When we have our own business, we are our own boss.”

He is happy to get the new utensils, saying he could do a lot with them, including helping his family financially and motivating his friends to get involved in a similar business.

Many people have benefitted from the 1Azam programme implemented in stages and focused on providing various income-generating opportunities to the people.